These sets are pretty popular every year. Even at full price, the concept is intriguing - you get ten sample vials of fragrance. Try them all, choose the one you like the most and return the voucher for a full-sized (usually 1 oz.) bottle. Almost all of the selections retail for $60 or more. The sample set also includes a refillable atomizer.

Vouchers have to be redeemed in-store and you can't use the voucher in Sephoras located inside JCPenney stores.

Stores are not guaranteed to have the fragrance you like in-stock. (Michael Kors Gold is reportedly in very short supply.) If you plan to do this and the closest store is a good distance away, it's best to call and make sure your pick is available before making the trip.

Some users have reported this workaround (as always, YMMV.) If you try the set and can't find anything you like, you can sometimes exchange the voucher for one of the included fragrances, immediately return it and get full-price credit toward something you actually like. I haven't heard of anyone who was told "no" but the possibility certainly exists.

There are a few I already know I don't like (Miss Pucci Intense is very generic-smelling and LOUD on me, Wonderstruck is just.too.sweet.) but I do know I like the Gucci Flora, so if nothing else strikes me, I'll get a bottle of that.

There are other women's samplers that work on the same concept, but are not on sale:

This one is still $50 but it has different scents and a beauty bag rather than an atomizer. (Plus, several of the full-sized fragrances are REALLY full-sized - 1.7 to 2.7 oz., including a $78 bottle of Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh that I would probably adore. All the Daisy fragrances smell great on me.)

This one is $18,, has five scents in it and a voucher that redeems for a rollerball (usually .33 to .5 oz) of your choice.

This one is $42, has five bigger minis in it (not vials, but actual cute little bottles) and a voucher that redeems for a full size. I almost kinda wish I'd gotten this one 'cause Coach Poppy is one of my new favorites, and Jennifer Aniston has been recommended as a possible replacement for my beloved original kate spade EDT that is no longer available.

Sephora usually does at least one men's sampler too but I didn't see one this year.

Since I'm going to have to make a Sephora run to The Big City anyway, I may go ahead and get that first $42 set, and throw in the Tarte primer trio for $9 to get another free shipping (and more deluxe samples, Woot!)

Sourkrause

New Member

posted: Jan. 24, 2013 @ 10:17p

Are you required to use the voucher on only the fragrances included in the sampler? Or are you allowed to pick from any perfume at Sephora (and what are the limitations)?Does anyone know? They are closed now otherwise I would call and ask myself :\

wordgirl

Senior Member - 10K

posted: Jan. 24, 2013 @ 10:45p

Yes, technically you are supposed to pick from the samples. However as noted above, some have been able to use the voucher to get one that is on the list, then immediately return it and use the credit to buy something they really want. I haven't heard of anyone being told no, but I still put that trick as a big YMMV because Sephoras differ widely in their policies.

I've never tried it myself because I never get the sampler unless I know there's something I'm going to want . Sometimes I find something I want more from the samples but I always choose a set with at least one fragrance that I know I like.

Generally, you can get store credit or an exchange for a receiptless return, but it's a bit YMMV.... and if the product has been discontinued it could be worth very little (Sephora frequently drops the price of products to 50 or 75 percent off when they are clearing them out, even those products that they have already sold out of. For example, I heard of someone being offered a credit of $9 on a Kat Von D palette that sold out pretty much everywhere at the original price of $36.)

If you ordered the product from Sephora's website or used your Beauty Insider card in the store, they may have a record of the purchase and would let you do a return for full retail price and possibly a credit back to your charge card or cash, but that's a big YMMV as well. Seems to be up to the associate you talk to.

The deluxe samples included in the 2013 code are starting to look a little picked over. YOURGIFT is only good for one sample, but there are a few more options available. RMNKVD gives you a free Kat Von D lipstick sample. And (this is the one I'll probably do) PROFINISH gives you a mini of their new powder foundation in your choice of shades.

This page has a reasonably comprehensive set of codes, but there are others out there too.

scrappin

New Member

posted: Jan. 30, 2013 @ 10:51p

I bought my daughter the deluxe set for Christmas and we just redeemed the certificate last week. There were three sizes in the fragrance she wanted with the smallest being the one listed on the certificate. We asked the saleslady if we could use the cert towards the larger sizes, and she said that would be no problem, but we would have to "buy" the size listed then do a return and just credit the amount towards the size she wanted. She got the mid size and paid the $18 difference. Would think it would work if you wanted to exchange for another fragrance not listed on the cert.

princesscathryn

Shopaholic Member

posted: Feb. 2, 2013 @ 2:40a

scrappin said: I bought my daughter the deluxe set for Christmas and we just redeemed the certificate last week. There were three sizes in the fragrance she wanted with the smallest being the one listed on the certificate. We asked the saleslady if we could use the cert towards the larger sizes, and she said that would be no problem, but we would have to "buy" the size listed then do a return and just credit the amount towards the size she wanted. She got the mid size and paid the $18 difference. Would think it would work if you wanted to exchange for another fragrance not listed on the cert.

I just did exactly what you mentioned today - in fact I exchanged it for a men's fragrance (for my hubby) Guess it's up to their discretion...

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